Beverages of some sort are an essential part of human diet because of
their liquid content. From earliest time man has sought for drinks which
are palatable and refreshing. He has utilized thousands of species, surprisingly few of which have become of commercial importance. Two
categories may readily be recognized: nonalcoholic and alcoholic.

NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CONTAINING CAFFEINE

Beverages that contain caffeine are used the world over for their stimulating and refreshing qualities. As in the case of the cereals, each of the
ancient centers of agriculture and civilization had its own beverage
plant. Coffee, which originated in regions adjacent to Southwestern
Asia, is now used by one-third of the world's population. Tea, which is
associated with Southeastern Asia, is used by fully one-half the population of the world. Cocoa, a product of tropical America, today serves as
both food and drink for over 300,000,000 people. In addition to these
familiar beverages, there are others that are less widely known, but
equally important. These include maté, the principal drink of 15,000,000
South Americans; cola, a favorite beverage and masticatory with millions
of Africans; khat, used by the Arabs; and guarana, another South
American drink, which has a higher caffeine content than any other
beverage.

Caffeine is an alkaloid and, like others of this group of plant products,
has definite medicinal values, acting as a diuretic and nerve stimulant.
Although, as in the case of other drugs, caffeine is harmful in large
quantities, it is present in these beverages in such small amounts, rarely
over 2 per cent, that the average adult experiences no ill effects from their
moderate use. Excessive indulgence should be avoided, and, in the case
of sufferers from nerve disorders and of children, caffeine-containing
beverages should be used sparingly, if at all.

Coffee

Coffee is the most important beverage plant from a commercial standpoint, in spite of the fact that more people use tea. The world output of coffee has been as high as 3,000,000,000 lb. with a value of over
$500,000,000.

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